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LANCASTER, Ohio — The former Fairfield County clerk of courts kept the records of employees who worked on county time for her political campaign off the books, according to newly released documents.

The documents, released by the Ohio Supreme Court on Monday, provide more detail of the investigation into the actions of Deborah K. Smalley by a special prosecutor from the state auditor’s office.

Smalley resigned last week from her $68,903-a-year job, making it unnecessary to hold a hearing to suspend her from office while her criminal charge is pending.

Smalley has pleaded not guilty to theft in office, a third-degree felony. If she’s convicted, she could get three years in prison.

Smalley’s husband, David E. Smalley, has pleaded not guilty to complicity to having an unlawful interest in a public contract. That charge could bring 18 months in prison if he is convicted.

The Smalleys, both 60, are Republicans.

Special Prosecutor Robert F. Smith, assistant chief legal counsel for state Auditor Dave Yost, is investigating allegations that Mrs. Smalley used employees to do political campaign work for her on county time. A special audit is underway. Smith has said there could be more charges when he presents the case to a grand jury.

Documents that Smith filed supporting his request to suspend Mrs. Smalley provide more details. She filed a response denying the allegations, which she said were unsupported claims made by disgruntled former employees.

Mrs. Smalley used her employees to solicit and collect campaign contributions during office hours, Smith wrote in the suspension request. She also told workers to use personal time, vacation or other leave, and then repaid them in compensation time. An “off the books” folder that Mrs. Smalley kept documented six employees who were paid for 301 hours of political work that cost the county $8,853, Smith wrote.

An investigator’s affidavit and other documents submitted by Smith also allege that: